before 1 of 2

1
as in to
earlier than since I'm a faster runner, I got there before him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in against
preceding in space the children always insisted on running before their parents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

before

2 of 2

adverb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of before
Preposition
Most travelers opt to take a boat to the Sirena entrance of the park from nearby Puerto Jiménez, then hike for two days and one night to La Leona, before driving back to town. AFAR Media, 11 July 2025 And all of this occurs before considering golf’s competitive aspect or the ability to gamble during play. Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025 Asked about the impact of the federal cuts on the flooding, Trump on Sunday seemed ready to blame the former president for the situation, before walking it back. Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 11 July 2025 The 30-year-old, who was born in a refugee camp in Syria before going on to graduate from Columbia, had played a prominent role negotiating on behalf of pro-Palestinian protesters at the university. Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for before
Recent Examples of Synonyms for before
Preposition
  • In addition to expert pitch training leading up to the event, winners will receive three months of personalized business development, mentorship, and strategic coaching from the New Voices Foundation.
    Essence, Essence, 6 July 2025
  • At just $25, this five-pack works out to just $5 per pair.
    Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2025
Preposition
  • Lautner starred in Cheaper by the Dozen 2 as Elliot Murtaugh, one of the members of the rival family the Bakers go up against in the film.
    Nicholas Rice, People.com, 6 July 2025
  • The announcement was made two weeks after Schmidt threw 103 pitches in seven hitless innings against the Baltimore Orioles.
    Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Adverb
  • LeBron James already opted in to a $52.6 million deal with the Lakers for next season, the Rockets traded for Durant and the Los Angeles Clippers saw James Harden decline his option in return for a new deal and a raise.
    Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025
  • For other carriers, that means the platform is already built to handle the pressure and complexity of national freight operations, and can be tailored to suit smaller businesses with minimal learning curves.
    Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 30 June 2025
Preposition
  • Skokie’s July Fourth parade managed to dodge most of the rain drops, but not the gray sky as off-and-on rain dogged the northern suburbs Friday morning.
    Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
  • Staying in one of these units feels more like having your own Cape Cod sanctuary, rather than checking into a hotel.
    Kim Foley MacKinnon, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Adverb
  • So Garrett leaned into the execution of his sinker early and splitter late to work around a single in the eighth and to retire the side in order in the ninth, keeping Judge in the on-deck circle for the final out.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 5 July 2025
  • Paying off debt early saves hundreds of millions of dollars in interest costs each year.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Before.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/before. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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